Tourist&#39;s flexible refrigerator



F. M. KANDLE TOURISTS FLEXIBLE REFRIGERATOR 15, 1923 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept E m mi May l2, 1925.

My 12, 1925. 1,537,829l FM.KANDLE TOURIST S FLEXIBLE REFRIGERATOR Filed Sept. 15. 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet-2 ENQ/@Wale INVEN R ATTORNEY Patented May 12, 1925.

UfNrrfE-n :STATES frA'rE-Na OFF 'TOURISTS 'FLEXIBLE REFRIGERATOR.

vApplication `tiled lSeptember A15, l1923. Seria-LINO. 652,898.

To all fic/omit mcg/concern.' n

Be it known that I, FURMAN M. KANnLn, a citizen'of the United States, residing Yat Atlantic Cit-y, in the County of Atlantic and State of New Jersey, have invented new and useful Improvements in Tourists `Flexible Refrigerators, of which the following` is a specification. l l

This invention relates to a refrigerator construction, and more `particularly to a flexible :portable refrigerator particularly designed for attachment to automobiles, for use by tourists. I n

Heretofore considerable yinconvenience has been experienced bytourists, campers or the like, through lack of proper cooling or refrigeration means for preserving perishable edibles, and also by fishermen or vother Sportsmen in .preserving their .game or fish while returningn from a fishing' or huntingtrip. n

It is an object of this inventionyto provide a tourists flexible refrigerator which may be attached to the lspare tire of an automobile when fthe tires aref carried in the usual manner bytire ca irriersat the `rear of the body ofthe vehicle or at the sides of the body or in other convenientplaces where the tire isjpositioned in a substantially vertical positionV and located so that the refrigerator may be readily attached thereto, and will thus be outof the way and will not in any way interfere with the comfort of the occupants of the automobile, and a refrigerator which is designed to permit the providing of cool, pure drinking` water as `well as providing` a preservative for perishable foods.

. Another object of this invention is to provide a flexible refrigerator as specified which includes a removable water-.proofed food or water container which may be used as a bucket in emergency cases or may be used as a container for sandwiches orf various types of foods,rand also to provide a removable ice and water container which is normally confined in one compartment of the refrigerator body proper and which has a` drain opening` through the bottom of the refrigerator body proper. and also has a novel form of faucet or valve structure associated therewith to permit the taking of drinking water from 4the ice compartment.

A `further object of the invention is to provide a flexible refrigerator as specified which is braced across the back a rigid bracing rod to maintain sufficient rigidity of the flexible *refrigerator4 to hold 1t in proper position when in operative use; to

provi dea refrigerator which maybe folded up into a comparatively small compact form when not in use; to provide a' non-flexible Bottom for the flexible body which serves as a support for various articles such as bottles of milk, or the like. which are removable through a removable door 4in one side of the refrigerator body adjacent the bottom thereof.

Other objects of the invention will appear in the following detailed description, and in the accompanying drawings wherein.:

1Figure lk-is afront elevation of the improved tourists flexible refrigerator.

Figure 2-is a rearel'evation ofthe refrigerator. Y y

Figure 3-is la side elevation of the refrig'erator. y

Figure 4-is a vertical sectionthrough'the refrigerator 'takenv on the line 4-4 of Figure 1.

Figure 5-is a fragmentary view showing .the mouth or entrance of the Arefrigerator open. .I y i FigureVG-is a detail view ofthe removable container which may be used for emergency purposes. y

Figure T-is an enlarged elevation of a provision bag` which maybe used yin con nection with the main iexible body or bag.

Figure 8-is ahorizontal section through the refrigerator body with the ice container removed. i F igure 9-is a detail-section through the valve structure.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, an improved tourists flexible refrigerator comprises a. main body f1 which is formed of khaki, canvas oreanalogous relal'tively heavy-preferably water-proofmatesrial-and as clearly shown in the drawings, the body is formed in a Satchel-like shape `having` a mouth 2 at its upper end which opens and closes 'in the 'same manner as the .mouth of a satchel. `The mouth 2 isheld closed by a strap 3 which is attached in any suitablemanner to the central fabric strap t on the rear side of the body., The strap 3 extends over the mouth 2 and Vcooperates with the buckle 5 which is carried by the strap G. The strap 6 is 'formed inaloop 7 llO which may serve as a handle if desired, and which also adds to the appearance of the refrigerator.

A rod 8 is attached to the rear side of the body 1 of the refrigerator by means of suitable fabric loops 9 which are, in turn, riveted or otherwise rigidly and securely attached to the body 1. rlhe rod S serves as a brace to brace the refrigerator body and it also serves as a means for connecting the attaching straps 10 to the refrigerator body. The attaching straps 10 are adapted to pass over the upper portion of the spare tire on an automobile or atany other convenient place on an automobile, and through the buckles 11 carried at the upper edge of the back of the body for securely attaching the refrigerator to an automobile. After the straps 10 have passed through the buckles 11 they pass over the mouth of the refrigerator and beneath the loop strap 12 which yis riveted or otherwise suitably attached to the front side of the refrigerator adjacent Y to its mouth.

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A second pair of attaching straps 13 are securely connected to the refrigerator body 1 at the bottom of the` refrigerator body, and they have loops 14 formed on their attached ends which carry buckles 15. The buckles 15 are provided for receiving the ends of the straps 13 which are in turn adapted to pass about the lower portions of a spare tire of a motor vehicle or any other convenient place on a motor vehicle. By attaching the improved flexible refrigerator to the spare tire at the back of the automobile, the refrigerator will be supported in upright position with its mouth opening upwardly and out of the way so that it will not, in any manner, interfere with the comfort of the passengers of the vehicle. A central flexible partition 19 is provided in the interior of the refrigerator body, dividing the interior into two spare compartments, access to one of which is gained from one side of the upper hinged braced end 16 .of the partition 19 while access to the other compartment is gained from the opposite side of the partition. The upper end 16 of the partition is braced by a substantially U-shaped rod 17, which in turn has its ends pivotally connected to the hinge structures 18 of the mouth of the refrigerator body. The rod 17 lits snugly within the mouth of the body so as to permit tight closing of the mouth.

The inner or back compartment formed by the partition 19 is provided for receiving various articles which it may be desirable to preserve against deterioration, by refrigeration or cooling, and it may be used, by Sportsmen for storing their game after it has been caught or killed, and while retu-rning home or going from one camp-site to another.l

lof the body 1 and these hooks are ladapted to carry or support a removable water- Iproofed container 21. The container 21 is designed so that itl may be utilized for containing sandwiches, or other articles of food-stuffs or the like, which it is desired to maintain sepa-rate and out of contact with the contents of the inner or back compartment, and it is water-proof in any approved manner so that it may be used as an emergency bucket for carrying water when needed. The container 21 has a plurality of eyelets 22 at spaced points around its upper edge through which a closing rope 23 is threaded, as clearly shown in the drawings. The closing rope 23 is fastened by certain of its loops to the supporting and carrying bar 24, while other of the loops are detachably connected to the carrying bar by means of hooks so as to permit the container to be opened to gain ready access to the interior thereof. The ends of the bar 24 are rounded as shown at 25 for engagement over the hooks 2O to support the container 21 within the body 1.

A horizontal partition 26 is formed across the outer or forward compartment in the body 1 and it terminates short of the ends of the body 1 as clearly shown in Figure 8 of the drawings to provide air-spaces which establish communication between the front and rear compartments within the body so as to allow circulation of the cool air all through the interior of the body. An ice containing bag 27 is provided which rests upon the horizontal partition 26 and the ice containing bag is formed of heavy canvas or other suitable material, preferably water-proof, and its front side is formed of a plurality of layers of the material which have vertically extending pockets 28 formed therein at spaced points in which tubes, springs or analogous flexible members 29 are placed to permit circulation of air.

The bottom of the. bag 27 is braced and held open by a suitable bracing structure 30 formed of wire which also serves to support the ice off the fabric bottom of the bag and above the cylinder of the valve construction 81. The valve construction 31 is no-vel in that the faucet or valve structure proper which may be of any approved spring operated type and telescopes within the cylinder 31 and consequently, within the bag 27 so as to permit the bag 27 to be readily removed from the body 1 for the purpose of refilling or for any desired purpose. The faucet or valve construction 31 includes the cylinder 31 which is provided with the inlet openings 3la at its inner end through which the water enters the cylinder for flowing outwardly through the faucet 31h. Suitable fluid-tight gaskets 311 are doors.

carried by the faucet Y31b and engage the inner sur-face of the cylinder V31. Vhen the faucet is telescoped Within the `cylinder 3:1, the gaskets 31d close the openings 31a. The body 1 is provided With a reinforced 'opening 33 in its front side through Which the valve structure is projected When the refrigerator is in use. A protecting shell 34C is detachably carried by the body 1 and protects the valve structure and a reinov` able cup 35 is threaded on the shell 34, providing a further protection for the valve, and also providing a cup cover for use when drawing drinking Water from the bag 27 through `the valve structure. An over-flou7 or drain-tube 36 preferably of flexible rubber tubing has communication with the finterior of the bag 27 upwardly ofthe bottom of the bag so as to permit the Vcontaining of a predetermined quantity tof drinking water in the 4bottoinof the `bag but to .permit `an over-flow lof any surplus Water, caused by the melting of the ice A"from the bag. The fle-Xib'le drain-tube 35 extends downwardly through the outer iend of the *coinpertinent body 1 and through a suitable opening in the rigid bottom B7 of the body `1. vThe rigid bottom 37 may xbe constructed of Wood or any suitable material, `and itis provided for supporting various articles, such as bottles of milkor the like.

rllhe front side of the body 1 is provided with a preferably rectangular 4opening adjacent *to the bottom of the body, Which opening is reinforced about its edges by lan angle iron frame 3S Which forms a casing for the removable'doouSS-. rilhe 'removable door and the frame `38 haveza latch struc` Vture e0 `thereon of lany approved type, ipreferably of the type used on refrigerator rlhe door 39 iits tightly vWithin 'the 'frame 38 and is removable to permit access to the interior of the outer compartment Within the body 1 at the bottom of the `refrigerator.

Wlhen the refrigerator is not `in use, and

it is desired 'to store it or pack it, the shell 84 and cup 35 are removed andthe valve structure is telescoped Within `the cylinder 31 after which the refrigerator may befold- `edor rolled into a comparatively compact structure, Vits sides Abeing limited preferably by the Width of the Ibottom and the Width ofthe door 39.

If it is so desired, a relatively large vbag as shown in Figure 7 of the drawings, may be provided for inserting in the inner compartment Within the body 1. This modified form of bag 40 is preferably formed of rubber or rubberized material so as to prevent the transmission of odors from it into the remainder of the body 1 particularly adapting the bag 40 for use in carrying fish, game or the like. The bag i0 is hooked to or supported from the hooks 2O in the same linanner in which the portable container Q1 is supported.

From the foregoing description taken vin connection with the accompanying drawings, .it Will be apparent that a yiiexible refrigerator has been provided which Will have numerous `uses and is particularly adapted for use by automobile tourists, campers o'r the like, and 'it Will also be vapparent that While a :multiple food compartparting from 'the spirit of my invention',

and it therefore do not limit myself tothe 'exact `details of construction herein shown nor ito anything gless than the Whole of finy invention limited only by the appended. claims.

What I claim is z- 1. tourists 'refrigerator formed of flexi- Sil ible material comprising a body of satchel- 95 'like shape 'having a hingedily opening mouth, attachingstraps carried by said Vflexible body, a :partition Within `said body forming an ice `containing compartment, an article containing compartment, and an ice containing bag in said lice oontainingeomlpartment, Vsaid lbag formed of 'flexible ma.- terial and 4having its front side'cornposedoif anultiple layers'of material, certain `of which are `provided with vertically eiitending ytu'- fbular :pockets forming air passage-ways.

42. A `vtourists refrigerator xformed of flexible material icomprising a body of Satchellike shape `:having 1.a hingedly opening mouth, attaching straps carried by said Hexible "body, `a partition Within said Ihotly foriningian ice-containing compartment and an article ycontaining compartment, -an ice containing bag jin said ice containing compartment, said bag `formed vof flexible =ma terial, La` Water-valve rstructure ycarried lby said ice bag at `the bottom thereof, Yand a 'rigid ice support in the bottom of the bag.

3. A tourists vrefrigerator formed of fiek- `ible material comprising; a body of satchelllike shape having a hingedly opening mouth, attaching straps carried by saidffiexible body, a partition Within said body forming an ice containing compartment and an article containing compartment, an ice Containing bag in said ice containing coinpartment, said bag formed of iieXible material, a Water-valve structure carried by said ice bag at the bottom thereof, and a rigid ice support in the bottom of the bag, a drainil-l (i tube having communication with the interior of said ice bag upwardly of its bottom to permit the retaining of a predetermined quantity of water Within the ice bag.

4;. A tourists refrigerator comprising a .flexible body, a rigid bottom for said body, a front side provided with a door opening adjacent to said rigid bottom, a rigid frame about said door opening, a removable door forming a closure for said opening, a iexible ice-bag in said body, said flexible icebag having its front side formed of a plurality of layers of fabric having' vertically extending tucks therein, and semi-flexible spacing members kwithin said tucks and forming' air passage ways.

5. A-tourists refrigerator comprising a flexible body, a rigid bottom for said body, the front side of said body provided'with a door opening adjacent to said rigid bottom, a rigid frame about said door openinO, a removable door forming a closure for saiad door opening, a flexible ice bag in said body, and a drain outlet for said ice bag communicating with the ice bag upwardly of the lower end of the ice bag to maintain a predetermined amount of water in the ice bag. j

6. A tourists refrigerator comprising a flexible body, a rigid bottom for said body, the front side of said body provided with a door opening adjacent to said rigid bottom, a rigid frame about said door opening, a removable door forming a closure for said door opening, said flexible body having a Satchel-like mouth at its upper end, and supporting hooks carried within said flexible body adjacent to its mouth.

7. A tourists refrigerator comprising a flexible body, a rigid bottom for said body, the front side of said body provided with a door opening adjacent to said rigid bottom, a rigid frame about said door open'- ing, a removable door forming a closure for said door opening, said flexible body having a Satchel-like mouth at its upper end, supporting hooks carried within said flexible body adjacent to its mouth, and a collapsible water-proof receptacle supported by said supporting hooks.

8. A tourists refrigerator comprising a flexible body, a rigid bottom for said body, a front side provided with a door opening adjacent to said rigid bottom, a rigid frame about said door opening, a removable door in said frame, a fiexible ice bag in said body, a drain outlet for said ice bag communicating with the ice bag upwardly of its inlet and to maintain a predetermined amount of water in the ice bag, and a valve structure communicating with the ice bag for controlling the outlet of water therefrom.

9. A tourists refrigerator including an ice bag formed of flexible water-proofed material, a rigid ice support in the bottom of said body, a valve structure carried by said bag and comprising a cylinder extending across the bottom of the bag, a valve structure mounted for telescoping into said cylinder or for extension out of the cylinder, said flexible ice bag having its front side formed of a plurality-of layers of fabric, vertically extending tucks in said front side, and, semi-flexible spacing members within said tucks forming air passage-Ways.

lO. A tourists refrigerator including an ice bag formed of flexible water-proof material, an ice support in said bag, said flexible ice bag having its front side formed of a plurality of layers, and vertically extending tucks in the front side of said ice bag for forming air passage-ways.

ll. A tourists refrigerator including an ice bag formed of flexble water-proof material, an ice support in said bag, said ilexible ice bag having its front side formed of a plurality of layers, vertically extending tucks in the front side of said ice bag, and semi-flexible spacing members within said tucks and forming air passage-ways.

l2. A tourists refrigerator formed of flexible material comprising a body, a partition within said body forming an ice compartment and an article containing compartment, an ice containing bag in said containing compartment', a drain tube having communication with the interior of said ice bag upwardly of its bottom to permit the retaining of a predetermined quantity of water within the ice bag.

13. A tourists refrigerator formed of flexible water-proof material, a partition in the refrigerator forming a food-stuff containing compartment and an icc containing compartment, supporting hooks carried within the food-stuff containing compartment adjacent the upper end thereof, and a collapsible water-proof refrigerator supported by said supporting hooks.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

FURMAN M. KANDLE. 

